An Uber Alternative for Women Only

Chariot for Women Founder Michael Pelletz on creating a ride-hailing app for women.

A new Uber-like service for women only is set to launch in Boston on April 19. The founder of Chariot for Women says the female-only ridesharing service focuses on safety, employing heavily background-checked women drivers and catering exclusively to women.

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In an interview with the FOX Business Network’s Mornings With Maria, former Uber driver and Chariot for Women Founder Michael Pelletz discussed how he plans to build a business around the ride-hailing app for women.

“For eight months, when I was a former Uber driver, 60-70% of my passengers were women. And what I noticed, you don’t really see many women Uber drivers,” Pelletz told FBN’s Maria Bartiromo. “But talking to thousands of women, they would love to drive for a rideshare company because you can definitely make some great extra income.”

Pelletz said the biggest concern for women passengers is safety and recalled several instances of drivers for ride-hailing services charged with assaulting female passengers.

“I picked up thousands of women and [heard stories] just from the basic uncomfortable conversation to an Uber driver would lock the door and say ‘you can’t get out until you give me a kiss,’” Pelletz said.

Pelletz said there are simply too many heart-wrenching stories from sexual assault to rape reported on ride-share vehicles driven by men.